September’s top stories: Warrior upgrade CDR, US increases support for UN mission

Lockheed Martin UK completed critical design review for the upgrade of the UK Army's Warrior infantry vehicle, Barack Obama pledged increased support to the UN peacekeeping operations, and Northrop Grumman received a contract to develop the ARL-E long-range radar for the US Army. Army-technology.com wraps up the key headlines from September 2015.

Undertaken after live-firing trials in Scotland in April with the new turret and cannon, the CDR represents the final stage of the design and development phase of the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme.

The programme aims to enhance the combat capability of 245 of the army’s fleet of Warrior vehicles with a new turret, cannon and electronics.

US President Barack Obama pledged increased support to the UN peacekeeping operations during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, US.

Obama signed a memo offering to deploy military, police, and civilian personnel to support or participate in peace operations, only if the need is in a capability, in which the US has specialised expertise and also if the troops are able to substantially improve the overall effectiveness of the mission.

According to the memo released by the White House, the deployment cannot adversely impact current or projected US operations elsewhere, and Obama would not relinquish command of any deployed forces.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled plans for troop contribution to peacekeeping operations in Somalia and South Sudan at a UN event in New York, US.

Deployed as part of the UN support for the African Union force, UK soldiers will provide medical, logistical and engineering support, while helping the UN and African Union to end conflicts that are encouraging mass migration from South Sudan and facilitating the rise of terrorist groups in Somalia.

In particular, the soldiers would support the African Union force that is working to build stability in the country and counter the threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabab.

Saab demonstrated an improved capability of its Giraffe agile multi-beam (AMB) radar system to detect low, slow and small targets during a UK Government sponsored trial over the ranges at West Freugh, in Scotland.

Dubbed Bristow 15, the trial evaluated the ‘enhanced low, slow and small’ (ELSS) function,which enables the radar to undertake dedicated counter-unmanned air systems (UAS) operations, while performing its full suite of regular air surveillance functions.

More than 100 UAS sorties were flown against the radar in multiple launches of up to six vehicles at a time over the six-day trial.

Oshkosh was directed by the US Army to stop work on the recently awarded $6.75bn contract to manufacture joint light tactical vehicles (JLTV).

The stop-work order came after one of the losing contractors Lockheed Martin lodged a formal protest with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) citing concerns regarding the evaluation of its proposal.

Last month, Oshkosh was selected over Lockheed and AM General for a contract that covers delivery of approximately 17,000 new armoured trucks and sustainment services.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) lodged a complaint against the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) for intercepting, using, and retaining its communications.

HRW and three individuals filed the complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). It alleges that the organisation’s rights were violated through unlawful surveillance, and in particular, sharing of the data with the US National Security Administration (NSA).

The case follows a finding by the tribunal that Britain had unlawfully retained communications of Amnesty International.

Northrop Grumman received a contract to produce a next-generation, laser-based infrared countermeasure system for the US Army.

Awarded by the Army Contracting Command, the $35.3m cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive, and firm-fixed-price hybrid contract includes options for engineering and manufacturing development and low-rate initial production of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) programme.

The CIRCM programme aims to develop a laser-based, infrared countermeasures solution to protect US helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft against infrared guided missiles or man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and other heat-seeking weapons.

The Australian Army took delivery of the seventh and final CH-47F Chinook multi-mission helicopter from Boeing, on budget and three weeks ahead of the original schedule.

In March 2010, the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation signed a $513.5m contract with the US Army Security Assistance Command for the supply of seven Chinooks, along with two simulators and associated spares.

The helicopters will support modernisation of Australia’s cargo helicopter fleet and eventually replace the country’s six ageing CH-47D Chinooks.